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Photos by Josh Gilheany.
SCHUYLERVILLE — On Dec. 15 volunteers showed up to Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery (NYGSNS) to personally lay just over 12,000 holiday wreaths on each gravesite to honor and remember veterans for the Wreaths Across America drive. Cemetery Director Scott Lamb estimates between 3,500
and 4,000 individuals showed up to volunteer. Roughly two full semi-loaded trucks transported all 12,000 wreaths.
“Thank you to everybody that helped support it. If you don’t have the folks donating the wreaths you’re not going to have the ceremony. 12,000 wreaths this year is a great goal but we’re going to have to reach 13,000 next year,” Lamb said. The cemetery adds roughly1,000 gravesites every year.
Soon after the holidays the cemetery begins fundraising to reach next year’s goal.
“There was a time where there was only 300 or 400 wreaths here. So to reach our goal of 13,000 next year is going to take some fundraising, starting probably within the next month or two,” he added.
Before the wreath laying, a 30-minute ceremony took place at noon EST and simultaneously at 1,440 cemeteries across the country and internationally. This years ceremony was performed by the Civil Air Patrol. According to Lamb, The Patriot Guard Riders of Eastern New York is a major sponsor for this undertaking. Other sponsors included many local and countywide American Legions along with 45 other fundraising groups.
Wreaths Across America began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. shipped a surplus of wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. In 2005 photos of his efforts were discovered on the Internet and has since gained national attention.
The wreath retirement ceremony will take place on Jan. 26 at NYGBSNS located at 200 Duell Rd. in Schuylerville. It will begin at 8 a.m. Volunteers are asked to bring a broomstick without the brush attached to carry wreaths for disposal. Lamb asks that if anyone would like to replace a wreath with the Star of David or the Muslim Crescent, contact NYGBSNS. To find out more call 518-581-9128.
